HOW I STOPPED LISTENING TO MUSIC

All of us have a certain time in life of which we are ashamed of and I really hope that Allah will forgive me! I'll be frank here: I was a massive music addict. When I say I was a music lover, I don't just say that I listen to it to kill boredom. I listened to music because I loved it, and there were nights where I'd sit up until late midnight. Past 3 a.m too, listening to music. And yes, in most cases, I ended up missing my Fajr prayer. I am ashamed of what I did. I really am... May Allah forgive me.

I know that there are a lot of Muslims who are struggling with their addiction with music. I can relate a lot to this, having been a music addict myself. I knew that listening to music is Haraam, but that didn't stop me. I regret all what I did. There were times though when the reality of the fact that music is prohibited in Islam hit me, and I did make some vague resolutions to stop myself from listening to it, but generally after a few weeks or so, I'd get back to my disgusting addiction.

The fact it, I've always thought that giving up listening to music was going to be really tough, but now that I have stopped it, I realize how exceptionally easy it was. Subhanallah! A word of advice for those who are reading this: If you are trying to avoid music, the first thing you should do is have a firm intention and resolution. I guess the only reason why I have not been able to avoid music was due to the fact that my resolutions were always weak. If you set your heart on your intentions, everything becomes easy. If you try for the Sake of Allah, not matter how hard it may seem to be, Allah will make it beautifully easy for you. I know this because that's how I gave up listening to music.

Wallahi, avoiding music might seem like a really daunting task, but it's so much more easier- if you are firm in your intentions. I made a promise to Allah that I would never listen to music again, and that promise has made me far stronger than I thought I could be, and I would never want to break that promise I made with Allah. May Allah protect me!

From my years of listening to music, I can definitely relate to one fact: I did take pleasure in music, but it was always accompanied by a massive sense of guilt of disobeying Allah. I tried to push away that guilt away, but it always persisted. Now, after avoiding music, my eyes opened up to so many possibilities. So many 'What if's'.... 

Be truthful to yourself: Are you really at peace when you listen to music? Doesn't the thought that you are disobeying Allah cross your mind? Is it worth the momentary pleasure of music at the cost of earning the displeasure of Allah? Is that one song, which is probably no longer than 5 minutes, worth your losing Jannah? What if you die in that state, may Allah protect all of us! What if that music is the cause of your entering Jahannum? What if all those songs you listened to will stop you from uttering the Kalimah at the time of your death? What if music and the disgusting lyrics in that tempts you towards committing more sins? What if your listening to music takes you away from your Allah, the One Who created you, is forever compassionate towards you and is forever merciful to you?

Is it worth it? 

Now, Alhamdulillah, not only have I avoided music, but I have a raw hatred for it. And once you hate it, you'll never be tempted again, In Sha Allah! Music today, is more or less audio pornography. Women are spoken of as sexual objects, the lyrics encourage vile behaviour and provoke haram desires within a person. And this is what we have grown addicted to, this is what we listen and this is what we take pleasure in... May Allah forgive us all for our ignorance. It exactly because of this that Prophet Muhammad Sallahi Alaihi Wasallam has said:"Verily, singing generates hypocrisy in the heart just as water causes farm-produce to grow". (Baihaqi)

There is nothing more soothing than the recitation of the Quran and the beautiful meaning of it, so if music is just a portal you use to calm your mind, kow that you can NEVER find peace that way. How can we expect to find peace, consolation and happiness in something Allah has proibited? You want peace and happiness? Listen to the Quran, read the meaning of it or listen to Nasheeds without music of course. There are some beautiful ones, MashaAllah. For a start, you can listen to 'Al Habib' and 'Heartsong' by Talib Al Habib. I couldn't help but cry when I heard it, Subhanallah!

If you have any songs on your phones, computers or iPods, delete them. You can't listen to them if it's deleted, right? Replace all those who recitation of the Quran, Islamic lectures or Nasheeds, and if you still persist in listening to music when you can easily listen to the Quran/Nasheeds/lectures, the guilt would be too much to bear. Trust me on that.

Never do the love of songs and the love of Qur`an come together in a person’s heart except that one expels the other.

Something in you might tell you that you might miss out on so much of fun when you avoid music or movies, but know that this is nothing but the whispers of Shaytan. What kind of enjoyment can you ever find in doing something Haraam? You are not missing out on fun when you avoid music/movies. You are only earning for yourself the Pleasure of Allah and sacrificing your desires for the Sake of Allah. This in itself, would help you rise in ranks on the Day of Qiyamah. After all, isn't the greater Jihad struggling against your own desires for the Sake of Allah?

Finally, if you want to stop listening to music and watching movies, make lots of Du'aa. Du'aa can change anything, and so long as you are sincere in your Du'aa, Allah will surely show you a way out. When you listening to music, you are sinning and moving away from Allah, and each time you avoid it, you are strengthening your relationship with Allah. Do it for the Sake of Allah. Allah will help you, make it easy for you, reward you and above all, love you... And where does this immeasurable Love of Allah count with the love of music and movies?

Avoiding music is not difficult. It's about the easiest thing I have ever given up. And this, coming from a massive music addict, really relates to quite a lot. 

“And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out, and provide for him from whence he could never imagine.” [ Sûrah al-Talâq : 2-3]

Stay strong in your intentions, make Du'aa and fear Allah. Everything else will naturally be made easy for you!

"Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: 'Verily, the bell is of the musical instruments of shaitaan." (Muslim and Abu Dawood)

"The Malaaikah do not associate with a group in which there is a dog or a bell." (Muslim and Abu Dawood)

"Most certainly, there will be in my Ummah people who will make lawful fornication, silk, liquor and musical instruments." (Bukhaari)

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Most certainly, people from my Ummah will consume liquor which they will describe with some other name. Over their heads will be playing musical instruments and singing girls. Allah will cause the earth to swallow them, and from among them He will transform into apes and pigs." (Ibn Maajah)

WHY ARE MUSLIMS AGAINST MY NIQAB?

I can take any amount of insult from a non-Muslim towards my Niqab because they don't understand how beautiful it truly is. But when it's a Muslim who does it, that's a totally different story. I really don't get it. When they should in fact be backing us up for wearing the Niqab (okay, no need encouragement, remaining silent about it would do), they go about looking down on the Niqab, calling it 'cultural' and 'not necessary' in Islam. Personally, I believe that wearing the Niqab is obligatory as do many Scholars in Islam, so why don't them leave me to do what I want?

I've had Muslims call me a 'ninja' for my Niqab and I've seen many Muslims laugh at it. It really hurts to see your own Muslim brother or sister ridiculing something that is encouraged in Islam. Just one word here: If you call me a Ninja or whatever other names you do for my Niqab, you're in fact saying nearly the same thing to the wives of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam), his daughters and other Sahabi women. So, weigh your words (insults in this case) before throwing them at Niqabis.

You may not like the Niqab- leave it at that. Don't go about discouraging, insulting or hurting a Niqabi for wearing it. If Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) saw it right for his wives and daughters to wear the Niqab, so do I and so should every true follower of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam). And remember that whether I wear the Niqab or not, I'm still your sister in Islam. Don't change Islam to support your opinion; change your opinions so that it doesn't contradict Islam.

I'm not saying this just for myself- I'm talking here on behalf of all the Niqabis who have to put up with insults from their very own Muslim brothers and sisters.

Underneath the Niqab, is a woman, and that woman is a human being, and every human being has a heart, and every heart has feelings. Please respect that.

WHAT TYPE OF HIJABI ARE YOU?

Hijab has sadly become a largely distorted order of Allah, and it's really, nothing but worrying to see what the Hijab has become in the recent past. 

I know everything undergoes some kind of evolution with time, but the commands in Islam are timeless, and it's meant to be upheld and not distorted over time. So what evolution has the Hijab undergone? For a start, Google "Hijab fashion show" and "Hijab styles". 
Done? 
So now you can see for yourself what the Hijab has been reduced to. From everything starting from "Summer Hijab Fashion" to "Hijab trends 2012", they have it all. And what's more than sad to see is that our women are falling headlong into the trap of these Hijab trends and fashion.

So basically, Hijabis can be narrowed down to 5 categories. Choose for yourself which category you fall into:

1- HALF/INCOMPLETE HIJABI

How has the Hijab been ordered by Allah? 

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks ("Jalabib") veils all over their bodies that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." [Surah Al-Ahzab: 59].

So you see, this Hijab ordered by Allah in the Quran is the complete Hijab. Any Hijab that falls short of this definition is an incomplete Hijab. 

Which brings us to the Hijab of the present. Somehow, most people, Muslims included, perceive the Hijab to be merely a headcover, but this verse above clearly says that we should "draw our cloaks over all their bodies". Doesn't this simply refer to the Jilbab or the Abaya? 

Ask yourself if wearing the Hijab headcover with tight-fitting skinny jeans, short T-shirts and transparent clothing is ok. How can this type of Hijab be complete if you have not met the purpose of the Hijab- which is to conceal your adornments.

And what is the correct Hijab? I'll come to that.

2- GLITZY HIJABI

Ever come across pages online that give advice on how to 'glam up your Hijab'? Well, that's exactly what I'm talking here. Accessorizing the Hijab is simply unacceptable. Why? Because it has not been allowed in Islam. See this verse here:

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; That they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what is apparent of it and that they should draw their veils over their bosoms.” (Surah Noor 24:31) 

So, do you think that 5 layers of make-up, fancy brooches and Hijab pins and whatever other accessories that Hijabis put up nowadays is allowed? It has clearly been stated in the Quran "Not display their beauty and adornments" and we still find it acceptable to glam up our Hijabs?

3- PART-TIME HIJABI

Islam isn't a seasonal or part-time commitment.  If we call ourselves Muslims, we should practice Islam every moment of our lives at any place, anywhere. 

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Quran 24:31).

So, taking off your Hijab in the presence of men who are not mentioned in this verse also falls into the category of part-time Hijabis.

So what about these part-time Hijabis? Wearing the Hijab only when they are in the company of 'religious' people and taking it off when they feel ashamed of wearing the Hijab in front of their friends or in certain places. This is not something that is even marginally acceptable. How can you fulfil a command of Allah only when you feel like it and walk away from it when you don't feel like it?

4- RELUCTANT HIJABI

As I've said countless times before, the Hijab is an order from Allah and if you know anyone who doesn't wear the Hijab, you should try your best and advice them to wear it. 

So, reluctant Hijabis are as you might have guessed already, those Muslimahs who are not ready for the Hijab yet, but are forced to wear it because their parents want them to. You see sisters, you should wear the Hijab with love and pride. It's a beautiful blessing from Allah to us, and we should be able to wear the Hijab with our heads held high. What's the point of wearing the Hijab when you don't want to? 

5- A COMPLETE HIJABI

This is the best, most beautiful, most honourable, most respectful and most amazing Hijab ever! And although only a few women are ready to put on the complete Hijab, those who do so are undoubtedly earning numerous rewards from Allah!

So what's a complete Hijabi? Well, it's the Hijab worn by the wives and daughters of Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahaba women. How was their Hijab? Refer to this Hadith below:

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in ihraam.When they came near, each of us would lower her jilbaab from her head over her face, and when they passed by we would uncover (our faces).” [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1833; Ahmad, 24067]

They wore the Jilbab and the Niqab and this, my dear sisters in Islam, is the Hijab worn at the time of Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam and this fact alone makes it the complete Hijab.

So, which category do you fall into? If it's anything but the last, I suggest that you correct your Hijab and your intentions. You may not want to wear the Niqab, but even if you do wear your Hijab with an Abaya or loose fitting clothes, that's good MashaAllah. But wouldn't you want to take that one step forward and wear the kind of Hijab worn by the Sahaba women and the wives and daughters of Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam?

Choose for yourself which kind of Hijabi you'd want to be. And choose wisely.

HOW TOUGH IS IT TO LOWER OUR GAZES?

Lowering the gaze. Well, it's easier said than done. But Alhamdulillah, there are many people I know who have successfully managed to lower their gazes with the continous Help of Allah (SWT). As for me, I'm trying very hard to lower my gaze as I should, so whatever I'm writing right now is first, a reminder to myself.

I've heard a Hadith that says that Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) once asked the Sahabi what the most precious thing for a woman was. None of the Sahaba replied, but Ali (ral) went home and repeated to the question to Fatimah (ral) to which she replied that the best thing for a woman is that she is neither seen by any non-mahram men nor does she see any non-mahrams. Ali (ral) repeated this answer to Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) and when asked who told Ali (ral) the answer, he replied it was Fatimah (ral). Prophet Muhammad (sallalu alaihi wasallam) then said, "Fatimah bint Muhammad, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Fatimah bint Muhammad. Fathima is really the son of Muhammad".

I know it's tough to lower our gazes, particularly when a good looking man or a pretty girl is right in front of your eyes. But that's what we have to do. And it's not impossible. I've really thought that lowering the gaze, particularly for teenagers is tough, but Masha Allah, my younger sister proved me wrong! I'm extremely proud that she is very, very strict with herself when it comes to lowering her gaze and I pray that Allah gives us the strength to do so.

Now, how to lower our gazes? First, we have to have the firm intention and pray to Allah that He strengthens us. It's a battle against our desires and we're striving against our ownselves solely for the Pleasure of Allah. This, my brothers and sisters, is the greater form of Jihad because this is a battle against yourself, against your desires and against the whispers of Shaytan. It takes huge, huge, courage, but it's possible, provided you have firm Imaan and Taqwa.

Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) said: “You will never give up something for the sake of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, but Allah will replace it with something that is better for you than it.” [Narrated by Ahmad]

When you give up doing something that Allah doesn't like solely for His sake, Allah WILL replace it with something much, much better. So just imagine that a really good-looking man/girl walks past you, and you lower your gaze, don't you think Allah will replace your sacrifice for something much better? Who knows, you might end up getting married to someone a hundred times more beautiful than the one you thought was beautiful! Subhanallah! No sacrifice of ours goes wasted. Allah will give us a better compensation.

So next time your tempted to look at a non-mahram, however lovely they may be, lower your gaze. This sacrifice of yours would undoubtedly, give you something much better. Something a lot more worth. Just keep this Hadith Qudsi in your mind when your tempted to see a non-mahram:

"The gaze is a poisonous arrow from among the arrows of Iblis (satan). Whoever protected his heart and gaze from this arrow due to My fear, I will grant him the sweetness of Iman that he will perceive in his heart."

Only you know how tough it is to lower your gaze, but your doing it for Allah right? So take that moment to make Dua to Allah. Put forward that sacrifice you did only for His sake and ask Him for whatever you want. Allah will answer it, no doubts about that!

I'm still striving to lower my gaze and although I may not be as successful in doing this as I wanted to be, I'm trying. And I know that when I try for the sake of Allah, Allah will guide me all along the way, In Sha Allah!

HOW SHOULD WE STAND UP FOR OUR PROPHET'S HONOUR

A DISTURBING INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED THROUGH FACEBOOK

There is always huge wisdom behind Allah's orders, and the same goes with the Mahram issue. For a Muslim, the most important thing is his/her modesty, and it's extremely worrying to see that modesty isn't taken as a highly important and respectful characteristic anymore. Somehow, most people-Muslims included- restrict the concept of modesty simply to their attire and nothing more. One important thing to be remembered is that Hijab, for both men and women, is not only to with with clothes. Rather, it's a complete set of morals and conduct.

Back to the topic now. I've heard more than one story about intermixing on the internet, particularly on Facebook and chatrooms, and how it has lead to extremely distressful consequences. I know that Muslims often overlook that fact that intermixing with their non-mahrams in not allowed in Islam, and most of them don't see it as a sin in the first place. May Allah guide me, you and everyone else! I did put up on Twitter about the dangers of intermixing with non-mahram, but most people get the message only after they have read some real story about the dangers of Facebook and other social networking sites. So, I heard a story- a very, very disturbing one, and I just have to share it with all of you. It's true and it did happen, which is why I'm telling it now.

A girl and a man started communicating via Facebook. They got familiar with each other, and very soon, they fell in love and expressed their feelings to each other.. Not much later afterwards, they decided to meet up at a local restaurant. So, they set up a date, and decided that they would meet at such an such a place, etc, etc. Now both, the girl and the man went to the restaurant at the time appointed, and Subhanallah, none of them ever expected to see what they saw: The girl and man communicating all that while on Facebook where in fact a daughter and her very own father! What a shock it must have been for both of them! Apparently, both of them had gone under different Facebook usernames, so they didn't know who they were talking to. But see where it lead. After all the confessions of love, it turns out to be a father and daughter... Imagine the situation of the mother when she got to know all about it? May Allah save all Muslims from the Fitna of the internet. Aameen!

I'm not saying here that you shouldn't use the internet. What I'm saying here is that you should be aware of your limits, aware of Shariah, aware of what you're doing, and more importantly, aware of the fact that wherever you may be, Allah is watching you. This thought alone is enough to save a true Muslim from any shameful behaviour.

By the way, this isn't the only story I've heard about the consequences of intermixing online. Almost everyday, people are being plunged into extra-marital relationships, haraam dating, etc, and the simple reason behind this is that people aren't aware of the consequences of it. When a man and woman talk to each other alone, Shaytan is the third person in their midst, and he will try his best to create feeling that ought not to be created between those two people. Remember that whatever sin you may be doing, or whatever sin you may already have done, Allah is watching you, and He will bring the truth out in the Aakhira, if not in this world itself. Nothing is hidden from Him.

If there's anyone of you reading this has any relationship with a man/woman online, the only bit of advice I can give you is to fear Allah. You know it's a sin now, and you know what it may lead to, so stay away from it. All relationships start with a 'Hi' and end up in God knows what, so stick to the Shariah and follow what Allah has asked us to. Please do steer clear from interacting with non-mahrams!

SOLACE TO A DEPRESSED HEART

Sometimes, when we get depressed, nothing seems to comfort us at all. I’ve had times where depression really hits me hard, but Alhamdulillah, I’ve grown over it ever since I heard that a true Muslim can never be depressed. How can Muslim ever be depressed when he has got Allah right by His side, ever ready to hear all his cries and answer his Duas? How can a Muslims be depressed when he knows that this world is transient and that our true abode is in Jannah where the pleasures we are promised are beyond our imagination. Jannah is such a beautiful place that has pleasures no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard and no mind can ever grasp and comprehend. Each time we are suffering from a bout of depression, just think of Allah and His Jannah, and trust me, it really helps to make you feel a lot better.

When you are depressed, just remember that there is another person somewhere in the world who is suffering a hundred times more than you. This is exactly why our Prophet Muhammad (Sal) has asked us to look at people who are not so well off as we are so that we may be thankful to Allah and not look at people who are better off than us because that is when our heart incline to being ungrateful to the numerous blessings Allah has bestowed upon us. This is exactly what Shaitan wants us to feel like, so don’t ever fall into his trap. When any thought like this ever crosses your mind, say A’oozhubillahi min as-shaitaani rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan-the rejected one).

I found this amazing piece on the web titled ‘To you whose eyes are loaded with tears’. I’m sure anyone depressed would find so much of solace after reading this. It made me feel so much better Alhamdulillah!

Oh  you whose mind has wandered in grief, Oh you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health. 

Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief: 

"There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid." 

"So be patient, with a good patience..." (Qur'an 70:5)

          ''After every difficulty comes ease'' (Al-Quran)

I also love these words by Umar (ral). It’s just so inspiring MashaAllah!

“No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future. Go easy on yourself for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah’s Decree. If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from it you cannot flee.”

 Also remember that if Allah has willed something for you, it will reach you even if it be between a mountain and if it wasn’t meant for you, it wouldn’t reach you even if it be in between your lips.

Hopefully, those who are reading this feel better now In Sha Allah! :)

SYRIA, YOU ARE IN OUR DUAS

The whole month, we've been watching, reading and seeing the strife unfolding in Syria and Wallah I can't bear seeing another child massacred so ruthlessly. Syria needs her brothers and sisters in Islam to pray for her. The Muslim Ummah is one whole body; just as when one part of the body is in the pain the whole body suffers, we should feel the pain and the angst of our brothers and sisters in Syria. No one can put it so beautifully as our Beloved Nabi Muhammad (SAL) said: “The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.” [Muslim]. It doesn't matter that they are split into different political states or that they belong to different Madhahibs/Fiqh, as long as the person is a Muslim; they are a part of your body.

The Syrian Revolution publicly begun on March 15th 2011, demanding freedom and human rights. 11 months later and the Syrian people persist on protesting strongly against the tyranny and brutality of the Syrian regime.

11 months later and the Syrian people have only become stronger and more determined to bring down this regime of tyranny, oppression and corruption.

11 months later and the Syrian people have lost 8000 beloved fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons – for speaking up against what’s wrong.

11 months later and children all over Syria have been robbed of their childhood, deprived of living a life that the kids in other countries enjoy.

535 of them have been killed, slaughtered mercilessly and massacred all for speaking up for their rights…

Another incalculable number of them have been tortured and imprisoned.

Since March 15th, at least 8064 people have been killed in Syria, amongst them 535 children and 250 women.

350,000 injured.
200,000 imprisoned.
Over 22,000 refugees.

And what did we do?

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem

O Allah! The Compassionate, The Merciful

Ar Rahman Ar Raheem

Today and everyday

I ask You for Syria

O King, O the Holy One

Al Malik Al Quddus

I raise my hands

That You have given me

Begging Only You for Mercy

O The Source of Peace and the Guardian of Faith

Ya Salam Ya Mu'min

Please grant peace to

My Muslim brothers and sisters

In Syria

Please grant them strength to fight

And give them Your Protection

O Guardian O The Mighty One!

Ya Al Muhaymin Ya Aziz

Please take care of my Muslim brothers

And sisters in Syria

O Enforcer O Supreme One

Ya Al Jabbar Al Mutakabbir

I prostrate myself to You

Humbling myself to You

Please free Syria

O Lord, Our Creator, The Evolver

Al Khaliq Al Bari

Please do not let any more

Of my Muslim brothers and sisters

In Syria die, O Allah please!

O Fashioner, O my Lord

You are the Forgiver

Ya Musawwir Ya Gaffar

You are Our Creator

Please forgive the people of Syria

And please forgive us all

Ya Gaffar, I know I am covered in sins

Ya Rabb, please forgive me

And accept my Duas for my dear brothers and sisters in Syria

The Ummah of our beloved Prophet (Sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)

Ya Al Qahhar Al Wahhab

The Subduer, The Bestower

Please bestow upon Syria

Your Great Mercy Ya Allah!

Ya Razzaq Ya Al Fattah

O The Provider, The Opener

Please open the gates of Victory

For the people in Syria

O Allah please also open the gates of Jannah

For my Muslim brothers and sisters who have died in Syria

O Allah please provide sustenance for Syria

Please provide for them everything they need

And take care of them-Ameen

Ya Alim Ya Qabid

O the All-Knowing, O The Seizer

O Allah You know everything

Nothing is hidden from You

Please destroy Bashar and his evil army

O Allah! Please do not let any blood be shed

From my brothers and sisters

O Allah I cannot even imagine

What they are going through!

Please help them Ya Malik Ya Rahim

Ya Al Basit Al khafid

O The Expander, The Abaser

Please make it easy

On the people of Syria

Ya Ar Rafi Al Muizz

O The Exalter, The Dignifier

Please Exalt honour to the Syrians

In the world, on the Day of Judgement

And the Hereafter Ya Rabb Al Alameen

Ya Mujill Ya As Sami

O Abaser, The All-Hearing One

Please humiliate Bashar & his evil army

Please listen to our Duas O Allah!

Ya Al-Basir Al Hakam

O All-Seeing One, Our Judge

Please grant justice to Syria

Please help Syria O Allah!

Ya Adl Ya Latif

The Just, The Subtle

Please grant Justice to Syria

And all Muslims in this world

O Allah! Please I ask You

I ask You Only for Justice

To please destroy the Oppressors

Ya Khabir Ya Halim

O The Aware, The Forbearing One

Please O Allah

You see everything and You know everything

We turn to You O Allah

For help please, O Allah!

Ya Al-Azim Ya Gafur

The Magnificent, The Forgiver

Please forgive this Ummah

Please O Allah

We cry to You

And Complain to You

For our helplessness

We are far away from Syria

But You are closer to them

Than their jugular veins

Please listen to this dua

And accept this from me

This is all I want today

Right now Ya Rabb!

My eyes are filled with tears

And I want Only You

To wipe it away from me

How you clear the clouds from darkness

After Rain

O Allah I have never heard such things

In my life

I cannot bear an inch of what is happening

To the people of Syria

How men has lacked mercy

And became harder than any stone

In the world

But You are the Lord of the Worlds

To You we thank, O The Appreciative One!

Ya Ash Shakur

Ya 'Ali, The Most High

Please hear our plight

Ya Kabir, Ya Hafiz

My Lord, Most Great

To You I humble my body, my soul

My heart in pain

Asking You to preserve the people of Syria

O Allah! Al Muqit, Al Hasib

The Nourisher, The Reckoner

Al Jalil Al Karim

The Glorious, The Munificent

To You I ask for Help

Please O Allah!

Ya Raqib Ya Al Mujib

The Vigilant, The Responder to Prayer

Please respond to my prayer

And send Your army full of angels

And believers to Syria O Allah!

Ya Wasi Ya Hakim

Only You are the Wise One, The Embracing One

Please embrace Syria with Your Love

And please don't let any harm or grief touch them

Ya Wadud Ya Majid

The Loving, The Majestic

Ya Wadud I love Syria for Your sake Only

Please Ya Majid it hurts me when I

Look through my Islamic books

And find the name of Syria written in there

May the blessed city be free

O Allah please love the people of Syria

I call out to You

With my love for You

With my love for my Muslim

Brothers and sisters

Who say La Ilaha Ill Allah

Muhammad Ar Rasulullah

(Sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)

Please grant victory to Syria

Ya Al Baith, Al Shahid, Ya Haq, Ya Wakil

The Resurrector, The Witness, The Truth, The Ultimate Trustee

I invoke You please O Allah

Only You know what is going on in Syria

Only You know their every tear

Only You know what their hearts are going through

Please O Allah! They are oppressed, they are weak

They need You more than anything O Allah!

Ya Al Qawi, Ya Matin, Ya Wali, Ya Hamid

O The Strong One, The Firm One, The Protector, The Praiseworthy

Ya Hamid, All praise is Yours alone

Please grant Syria Your Ultimate Protection

Please help them O Allah! You are our Wali!

Ya Muhsi, Al Mubdi, Al Muid, Al Muhyi, Al Mumit

The Appraiser, The Originator, The Restorer, The Giver of Life, The Giver of Death

Everything is in Your Hands Ya Rabb

Please don't let them take away

Any of my brothers and sisters life in Syria!

Ya Al Haye, Al Qayyum, Al Wajid, Al Majid,

O The Eternal, The Self Existing, The Finder, The Splendid

Please destroy the Oppressors

And Save Syria from Oppression Ya Allah!

Ya Wahid, Ya Ahad, Ya Samad, Ya Qadir

O The One, The Unique, The Absolute, The Able

You are able to do all things

Please protect Syria and grant them relief O Allah!

Ya Muqtadir, Ya Muqaddam, Ya Muakkhir, Al Awal, Al Akhir

The Powerful, The Expeditor, The Delayer, The First, The Last

Yours is the Power alone

Please destroy the wrongdoers

Ya Zhahir, Ya Batin, Ya Wali, Ya Muta’ali

O The Manifest, Hidden, Supreme Governor, The Most Exalted

Please help Syria

Ya Al-Barr, At-Tawwab, Al-Muntaqim

The Source of All Good, The Acceptor of Repentance, The Avenger

Please forgive us all

O Allah, please avenge every Syrian death

And grant them Shahadah

Every day people in Syria are dying

People are losing their loved ones

And are being tortured and murdered

Please envelop Syria in Your Mercy

O Most Gracious Most High Lord!

Ya Al-Afu, Ar-Rauf, Al Malik ul Mulk

O The Pardoner, The Clement, The Master of Soverignty

Yours is the Soverignty, Yours is the Praise

No one forgives sins except You

Please forgive Syria and grant them victory!

Ya Jul-Jalali-Wal-Ikram, Ya Muqsit, Ya Jami’

The Lord of Majesty & Generosity, The Equitable, The Gatherer

I seek Only Your help

For my brothers and sisters in Syria

For I cannot do anything for them

But I have hope in You

Ya Ghani, Ya Mughni, Ya Mani’, Ya Dhaar

The Self Sufficient, The Enricher, The Preventor, The One who causes Loss

Please prevent any harm from coming

To the people of Syria

Ya Nafi’, Ya Nur, Ya Hadi, Ya Badi, Ya Baqi, Ya Warith, Ya Rashid, Ya Sabur

O The Propitious, The Light, The Guide, The Originator, The Everlasting, The Inheritor, The Righteous, The Patient

O Allah! I Invoke You with Your Great Special 99 Names and Attributes!

Please help the Masakeen, This Ummah, The People of Syria for I cannot help but cry for them. When I get even a small inch of tiny hurt, I can't help but think for the greatest of pains they have been suffering. I might have lost a few loved ones in life but they have lost many and watched them die in front of their own eyes. They have been the victims of massive oppression and crimes. They are oppressed. While the world waits and lets them die, I cannot for they are my brothers and sisters in faith. Their pain is mine as well. I thank You for everything You have given me but I cannot be happy if they are deprived of every happiness. I know You love them so much, I know You are testing them. In only You alone they put their trust in and I have hope in You that You will accept my Dua today that and You will take good care of my dear brothers and sisters in Syria.

Ameen thumma Ameen O Allah! Please Help! Please Please I beg You to help my dear brothers and sisters in Syria! Ya Rabb Al Alameen! O Lord of the Heavens and the Earth!! Allahu Akbar!!

         *   *   *

Abud-Darda' (Radhiallaho anha) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) saying, "Whenever a Muslim supplicates for his (Muslim) brother in his absence, the angels say: `May the same be for you too'.''

[Muslim]

Additionally, make sure you recite Qunut Nazilah that our Prophet prescribed when the Ummah is a facing difficult time.

*Note: We got this Dua from this site http://www.islamicexperiences.com/2012/03/special-dua-for-syria.html. JazakAllah ukthi/akhi for that beautiful Dua.

The stats mentioned were from this blog by a sister http://razanspeaks.wordpress.com/. JazakAlah khairan ya ukthi.

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